Missouri to Estes Park, CO
My wife and I are making a trip to Estes Park, CO to see some family and to go to my sister's wedding. We plan on driving across Kansas via I70 and then I25 to Lyons and up Hwy 36 to Paradise RV Park...
Forum Discussion
Thom02099 wrote:
One of the locals here. Your plan is very sound. Just some minor clarifications. On I-25 north from Denver, you'll want to get off on the CO 66 exit for Longmont, whichs skirts the northern part of the city and takes you to Lyons. Then on up US 36 as you have planned. This is not going to be difficult with a 5th wheel, no hairpin turns, etc. The road has been reconstructed since the flood of '13 and is actually better than ever to drive.
If you were to decide to take US 36 from MO across northern Kansas, that is a very good route, with small towns interspersed every 40ish miles or so, for fueling/break/food purposes. When you get in to Colorado, you can take US 385 north to US 34 and take that all the way in to Loveland.
If you're doing this AFTER Memorial Day, you can take US 34 up the Big Thompson Canyon. If you are doing this BEFORE Memorial Day, you'll need to take a slight detour south from Loveland on US 287 to CO 66. US 34 is currently closed for major reconstruction and is not expected to reopen to thru traffic until Memorial Day weekend.
What are you doing with your trailer while you are staying at Paradise on the River? It's a tight park and IIRC, they don't have a lot of extra parking. Mary's Lake will be a good choice for your alternative place to stay, it's run by the Town of Estes Park Recreation and Parks Department and is the cheapest place to stay in the area. Pretty area there, be aware that it can get very windy there, due to the geography.
I just checked my route I have planned and yes I am taking Hwy 66 on the north side of Longmont. I haven't been to Estes since 2008 or 2009 so better roads sound nice. My sister has been talking with the lady in the office, she has a place where they store their personal camper and she was checking to see if I could store it there over the weekend. If I understand correctly it is the bigger campground right across the way from Paradise, they are sisters I believe. If not then I will take it to my Uncle's shop in Greeley, which will suck but if thats what I have to do then I will do it. We are traveling the weekend of June 24.
